Willy Duggan all class in Egmont Cup

12 October 2014

A man of few words, trainer Kevin Myers was succinct in his summing up of the win of his charge Willy Duggan (NZ) (O’Reilly) in Saturday’s Kaponga Hotel Egmont Cup at Hawera.

“He went okay didn’t he” was the report from Myers after the seven-year-old gelding had captured his 8th career victory and taken his earnings to just over the $117,000 mark from 36 starts.

“We had been looking around for a suitable race for him and with the scratching of the topweight (Blood Brotha) he got in on a nice weight,” he said.

“He goes on all surfaces so the track was good for him and although he’s probably just a notch below the top ones he’s done a good job and I think he still has a few races in him yet.”

Myers is eyeing up his favourite stomping ground at Riccarton next for the son of O’Reilly with an open handicap over 2000 metres on Couplands Bakeries Mile Day a likely target.

“There’s a nice race for him on that 2nd day at Riccarton so I think that’s where we will go next,” he said.

“After that we’ll potter around with him and get him ready for the Kumara Gold Nuggets in January.”

Christchurch Cup Week fans may also get the chance to see Myers’ stable start Scapolo (NZ) (Bachelor Duke) in action during the carnival with the result of his next run at Moonee Valley determining his future plans.

“He’ll run at Moonee Valley next week and if he goes well then he will stay in Melbourne for the time being,” reported Myers.

“If we’re not happy with him then we’ll bring him home and get him ready for the Couplands Mile.”

NZ RACING DESK

Oaks Day glory for Waikato Stud-bred Sulek

Waikato Stud enjoyed a special moment on Oaks Day at Flemington on Thursday, when the New Zealand-bred gelding Sulek – by Super Seth out the O’Reilly mare Tiff And Co, saluted on one of the biggest days of the racing calendar and in front of an international crowd. Bred by the farm in partnership with the Dowager Duchess of Bedford, Sulek took out the A$500,000 Cirka Melbourne Cup Carnival Country Final (1600m) for the third and most lucrative win of his career.

5 November 2026

The Corner with Garry Chittick

And so, another Melbourne Cup has been run. Regretfully, Mary and I were not there. I have no idea how many we attended up until COVID, and I miss the Cup week. Victoria prides itself as the sporting capital of Australia; it may be, they certainly know how to create an event.